Americans Cool on Evidence of Global Warming

Stephen Power reports on the latest findings on public attitudes about climate change.

A poll out today on Americans’ attitudes about climate change contains sobering findings for those that favor aggressive action to curb U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, found a sharp decline over the past year in the portion of Americans who see solid evidence that global temperatures are rising. According to the survey, conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 4 among 1,500 adults reached on cell phones and landlines, fewer respondents also see global warming as a very serious problem; 35% say that today, down from 44% in April 2008.

The survey also points to a decline in the proportion of Americans who say global temperatures are rising as a result of human activity. Just 36% say that currently, down from 47% last year.

Not everything in the poll is bad news for those that favor capping U.S. emissions. According to the survey, a majority (56%) of Americans think the U.S. should join other countries in setting standards to address global climate change, while 32% say that the U.S. should set its own standards. And half of Americans favor setting limits on carbon emissions and making companies pay for their emissions, even if this may lead to higher energy prices…

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